An all-Bavaria loop combining Franconia's timbered beer and cathedral cities, Rothenburg's medieval walls, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Germany's highest Alpine peak.
Route overview
- Day 1 — Munich Altstadt, Marienplatz & Viktualienmarkt: Explore Frauenkirche, the Neues Rathaus Glockenspiel, Residenz Palace, and Chinesischer Turm beer garden.
- Day 2 — Nuremberg Imperial Castle & Medieval Old Town: 1-hour ICE/RE north to Nuremberg for the Kaiserburg, Weißgerbergasse half-timbered lane, and Drei im Weggla.
- Day 3 — UNESCO Bamberg & Smoked Beer Cellars: 40-minute train to Bamberg to see the Old Town Hall perched in the Regnitz River, Imperial Cathedral, and Schlenkerla Rauchbier tavern.
- Day 4 — Rothenburg ob der Tauber Ramparts & Night Watchman: Cross Middle Franconia to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; photograph Plönlein, climb the Town Hall tower, and join the evening Night Watchman walk.
- Day 5 — Romantic Road South to Füssen & Lake Alpsee: Head south to the Allgäu foothills at Füssen, explore the Gothic Hohes Schloss and turquoise Lechfall gorge.
- Day 6 — Neuschwanstein Castle & Scenic Transfer to Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Morning tour of Schloss Neuschwanstein and Marienbrücke, then cross past Linderhof/Oberammergau to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- Day 7 — Zugspitze (2,962 m) Cable Car, Partnach Gorge & Return to Munich: Ascend Germany's highest mountain via the Eibsee cable car, hike Partnachklamm gorge, and take the 85-minute RB6 train back to München Hbf.
Rail & Transit Strategy
Covered almost entirely by regional rail using either the €58 Deutschlandticket or multi-person Bayern-Tickets (€29 + €10 per extra traveler).
Day 1 — Munich Altstadt, Marienplatz & Viktualienmarkt
Explore Frauenkirche, the Neues Rathaus Glockenspiel, Residenz Palace, and Chinesischer Turm beer garden.
Day 2 — Nuremberg Imperial Castle & Medieval Old Town
1-hour ICE/RE north to Nuremberg for the Kaiserburg, Weißgerbergasse half-timbered lane, and Drei im Weggla.
Day 3 — UNESCO Bamberg & Smoked Beer Cellars
40-minute train to Bamberg to see the Old Town Hall perched in the Regnitz River, Imperial Cathedral, and Schlenkerla Rauchbier tavern.
Day 4 — Rothenburg ob der Tauber Ramparts & Night Watchman
Cross Middle Franconia to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; photograph Plönlein, climb the Town Hall tower, and join the evening Night Watchman walk.
Day 5 — Romantic Road South to Füssen & Lake Alpsee
Head south to the Allgäu foothills at Füssen, explore the Gothic Hohes Schloss and turquoise Lechfall gorge.
Day 6 — Neuschwanstein Castle & Scenic Transfer to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Morning tour of Schloss Neuschwanstein and Marienbrücke, then cross past Linderhof/Oberammergau to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Day 7 — Zugspitze (2,962 m) Cable Car, Partnach Gorge & Return to Munich
Ascend Germany's highest mountain via the Eibsee cable car, hike Partnachklamm gorge, and take the 85-minute RB6 train back to München Hbf.